He
doubled down over adult beverages late at night
(senators, take note of the setting and time) to
complain to a couple of colleagues that Senate
President Joe Negron rose to that position because “six
n——-” in the Republican caucus had elected him.

Artiles says he is really sorry.

On that point, he is correct.

Artiles has requested time to formally apologize on
the Senate floor, but his speech ought to consist of
just four words: “I’m sorry, I quit.”

But there was more Senate buffoonery. The
Associated Press reported that the Senate will
not consider the sweeping ethics reforms proposed by
House Speaker Richard Corcoran on how the Legislature
conducts business.

That kills, for now, Corcoran’s gambit to require
lawmakers wait six years after they leave office before
registering as a lobbyist in Tallahassee

“The Senate has shown us they have expressed zero
interest in holding elected officials accountable and
draining the swamp,” Corcoran told reporters.

Negron’s comeback?

“The Senate is very committed to the highest ethical
standards and we believe that the ethics rules we have
in place should be enforced,” he said.

I’ll translate: blah, blah and furthermore, blah.

So, you may ask, how are ethics and racist gutter
talk by a sitting senator related?

It goes to perception.

The public already thinks politicians are slimy
offspring from a zombie apocalypse. Call me crazy, but I
don’t what happened here is going to change that.

Get a hundred people in a room and at least 99 of
them would say they don’t like politicians, don’t trust
them, and that they’re all on the take.

The last part of that is not true, of course, but the
Legislature has helped create its image problem by doing
just what the Senate has planned for Corcoran’s bill:
closing its eyes, covering its ears, and going “la la la
la la la, NOT LISTENING!”

So, as a public service, I offer this bit of sage
advice to members of the Florida Senate.

However sincere Artiles’ forthcoming apology might
sound (I’m thinking choked-up speech and tears will be
involved), don’t accept it. Make it clear that the only
acceptable action is his immediate resignation. If he is
still in the Senate by the close of business today,
that’s too long.

It’s the only ethical choice.

Oh … wait. Ethics. My bad.

---------------

Joe Henderson had a 45-year career in
newspapers, including the last nearly 42 years at The
Tampa Tribune. Mr. Henderson has numerous local, state and
national writing awards. He has been married to his
wife, Elaine, for nearly 35 years, and has two grown
sons.
Column courtesy of Florida Politics.

This piece was reprinted by the Columbia County Observer
with permission or license.